[Magadha Kingdom, Capital City]
An eagle could be seen flying in the direction of the royal palace at high speed. After some time, the eagle entered a luxury chamber befitting of a king.
"HAHAHA!!! Mahamahim Bhishma made my work so easy. Now we just have to attack Anga and then I will have 'them' in the palm of my hands, HAHAHAHA!!!"
The figure in the chamber laughed with a sense of sinister satisfaction. The room was adorned with opulent decorations, indicative of the power and wealth the individual held.
As the laughter subsided, the figure's gaze shifted to a map of the region displayed on a table, intricate lines and markers denoting various territories and kingdoms.
The figure's eyes narrowed as they studied the map, their thoughts consumed by the looming plans. "Anga is the key to gain 'it'. Once I have 'It' under my control, I will have an unstoppable force at my disposal."
As the figure in the luxurious chamber of the Magadha Kingdom gazed at the map with calculated intensity, their thoughts began to take shape into a more detailed plan. The pieces of a larger puzzle seemed to be falling into place, each move bringing them closer to their ultimate goal.
"Once I have control over Anga, the power it holds will be mine to wield," the figure mused, a gleam of determination in their eyes. "And with that power, I will reshape the destiny of this realm according to my vision."
Outside the chamber, a loyal advisor waited patiently. Recognizing the significance of the moment, the advisor finally spoke, choosing their words carefully. "Your Excellency, the preparations for the upcoming campaign are progressing as planned. Our forces are ready to move against Anga at your command."
The figure's gaze remained fixed on the map, their expression unreadable. "Good. Everything must proceed flawlessly. This is a crucial step towards achieving our ambitions."
The advisor bowed respectfully. "I shall convey your orders immediately."
As the advisor left the chamber, the figure remained alone, their thoughts consumed by their grand design. The power struggles, alliances, and manipulations that had been set in motion were now reaching a critical juncture.
[Next Day, Champa City, King of Anga]
The sun had begun to rise, casting a warm golden hue over the city of Champa. As the gates of the city opened, the flow of people entering began to increase. Among them, the young boy with the tribal outfit stood patiently, his eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
The city's atmosphere was bustling and lively, a reflection of the diverse individuals who had come seeking knowledge, opportunities, and a chance at a better life. The recent changes in the kingdom's policies had created a sense of optimism and hope among the people, drawing them to Champa in search of new beginnings.
As the young boy made his way into the city, he couldn't help but be awed by the grandeur of the architecture and the vibrant energy that filled the streets.
The air was filled with the sounds of conversations, the aroma of food being prepared, and the distant clang of training weapons—a testament to the kingdom's commitment to education and growth.
He walked through the city's bustling markets, observing the array of goods being traded and the interactions between merchants and customers.
Everywhere he looked, he saw people from different walks of life—farmers, craftsmen, scholars, and warriors—each contributing their unique skills and talents to the city's thriving ecosystem.
As the boy continued his journey through the city, he noticed a grand structure in the distance. It was the royal palace, a symbol of power and authority that dominated the landscape.
He felt a sense of awe and curiosity, wondering about the individuals who resided within its walls and the decisions that shaped the destiny of the kingdom.
Near the palace, he encountered a group of children engaged in animated discussions. They seemed to be from various backgrounds, sharing stories and ideas with one another. Curiosity getting the better of him, the boy approached the group, his eyes shining with eagerness.
"Hey, what's going on here?" he asked, a friendly smile on his face.
One of the children turned to him, her eyes bright with excitement. "We're talking about the recent changes in the kingdom! Have you heard about the new rule that allows everyone to learn whatever they want?"
The boy's eyes widened with surprise and delight. "Really? That's amazing! I come from a tribal village, and we never had the chance to learn much. This kingdom sounds incredible."
Another child chimed in, "It is! We're all so excited about the opportunities we now have. And the best part is that we're all learning from royal guards, and sometimes even the king himself comes to teach us!"
The boy's excitement grew as he listened to their stories. The idea of a king who actively engaged with his people and shared his knowledge was a stark contrast to what he had known before. He couldn't help but feel a surge of hope and determination as he realized the possibilities that lay ahead.
"Anyway, what's your name friend?"
The boy's smile widened as he joined the group, his enthusiasm evident in his voice. "I'm Eklavya, a Nishada from the forests of Hastinapur."
Eklavya was half expecting them to show disgust or outright hit him for being a Nishada. But to his surprise, the children welcomed him with open arms, their curiosity and acceptance outweighing any preconceived notions.
They introduced themselves one by one—Rajesh, Meera, Aarav, and Priya—each from different backgrounds and with unique aspirations.
As the group of newfound friends continued their animated conversation, Eklavya's heart swelled with a sense of belonging he had never experienced before. He shared stories of his life in the tribal village, the challenges he had faced, and the dreams he held close to his heart.
Rajesh's eyes sparkled with interest as he listened to Eklavya's tales. "So you've been living close to nature, learning skills that most of us can only imagine?"
Eklavya nodded with a proud smile. "Yes, in the forest, I learned to track animals, identify medicinal plants, and survive in the wild. I've always felt a deep connection to the land and the creatures that inhabit it."
Meera's voice carried a note of admiration. "That's incredible, Eklavya. Your skills must be unique and valuable in their own right."
Aarav chimed in with curiosity. "Have you ever thought about what you'd like to learn now that you're in the city?"
Eklavya's gaze turned thoughtful as he considered Aarav's question. "I've always been fascinated by archery and wanted to become someone like Guru Dronacharya but he didn't accept me as his student because I wasn't from a noble background. But now, with the new rule, I'm hoping I can finally pursue my dream of becoming an archer and learn from skilled teachers."
Priya's eyes lit up with excitement. "That sounds amazing, Eklavya! And according to the rumours our king is a student of Bhagwan Parshuram same as Guru Dronacharya. And he is going to teach around the afternoon today. You are really lucky."
"Eklavya, if you want, we can show you the way to the training grounds where the lessons are held," Rajesh offered, his friendly demeanour inviting and encouraging.
Eklavya's face brightened up, gratitude evident in his expression. "Thank you, Rajesh, that would be fantastic. I can't wait to start learning."
Eklavya's newfound friends shared enthusiastic smiles, their shared excitement creating an immediate bond among them. With a sense of camaraderie, the group of children set off together toward the training grounds where the lessons were to be held.
As they walked through the streets of Champa, Eklavya couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the vibrant city around him. The architecture, the bustling markets, and the diverse population all conveyed a feeling of vitality and growth that was a stark contrast to his life in the tribal village.
When they reached the training grounds, Eklavya's eyes widened in awe. The area was vast, with targets set up at various distances and skilled archers practising their shots. The sound of arrows hitting targets filled the air, creating a rhythm of precision and focus.
Rajesh pointed toward a corner of the training grounds where a small group had gathered. "That's where the king is going to give his lessons."
Eklavya's heart raced with anticipation as he approached the designated area. The other children joined him, offering words of encouragement and support. As they settled in, a hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned toward the front.
..
[Mc's POV]
Today again I'm going to teach some kids about archery like these few days—
[Kids~ you yourself are a kid don't forget it, My Karna~]
"Damn, can you not use that seductive voice, Artemis?"
[Am I distracting the great king Karna~]
I chuckled softly to myself as I heard Artemis's playful voice in my mind. Her mischievous nature never failed to bring a smile to my face, even during serious moments. But now, as I stood before the group of eager children, my focus shifted entirely to the task at hand.
Clearing my throat, I addressed the young audience with a warm smile. "Greetings, everyone. I hope you're all excited to learn about archery today."
The children nodded eagerly, their eyes wide with anticipation. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose in sharing my knowledge with them.
"As some of you might know, archery is both an art and a skill. It requires focus, discipline, and practice. Today, I'll be sharing some basics with you, and over time, we'll explore more advanced techniques."
I began by explaining the different parts of a bow and arrow, demonstrating how to hold them correctly.
As I spoke, I noticed a tribal outfit wearing kid's attentive gaze fixed on my every movement. There was a determination in his eyes that resonated with me—a hunger to learn and excel.
"Alright, everyone, let's start with the basics. Hold the bow firmly, but not too tight. Your grip should be relaxed. And when you draw the string, use your back muscles rather than just your arm strength. This will give you better control and accuracy."
The children followed my instructions diligently, their faces a mix of concentration and determination. The tribal kid, in particular, seemed to be absorbing every word I said, his focus unwavering.
"Now, let's practice drawing the string. Remember, the motion should be smooth and controlled. Try to find a rhythm that suits you."
As the children practised drawing the string, I walked around, offering guidance and making minor adjustments to their form. It was heartening to see their progress, and their enthusiasm fueled my own passion for the art of archery.
The tribal kid's dedication was evident in the way he absorbed my instructions and implemented them with focused intent. His movements became more fluid with each attempt, and his determination was inspiring.
"Alright, everyone, you're doing great. Remember, archery is about patience and practice. It's okay to make mistakes as long as you're learning from them."
As the practice session continued, I introduced them to the concept of aiming and releasing the arrow. Their excitement grew as they saw their arrows hitting the targets, even if not always with perfect accuracy.
Before long, the sun had climbed higher in the sky, and I realized that our session was coming to an end. I addressed the group with a smile, "You all have made impressive progress today. Keep practising, and you'll only get better with time."
The children beamed with pride, their eyes shining with a newfound sense of accomplishment. The tribal kid, in particular, radiated a sense of gratitude that touched my heart.
As the children began to disperse, the tribal kid hesitated for a moment before approaching me. His eyes were filled with a mixture of admiration and determination.
"Thank you, Your Excellency, for teaching us. I've always dreamt of learning archery, and today you made that dream come true."
I placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile. "The pleasure is mine, ar... What's your name?"
His face lit up with a grateful smile. "My name is Eklavya, Your Excellency."
My smile froze, "Eklavya..."